Phil Woolas MP votes to keep luxury furniture expenses for MPs

5.08.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 4th Jul 2008

Oldham Borough Liberal Democrats have responded with disbelief and disappointment to the news that Phil Woolas has voted to retain MPs' most controversial expense allowance.

Mr Woolas, who is MP for Oldham East & Saddleworth, voted against key recommendations designed to restore confidence in the Parliamentary expenses system.

The reforms would have ended the current £24,000 allowance which MPs can choose to spend on luxury goods, furniture and electrical equipment.

Elwyn Watkins, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Oldham East & Saddleworth, said, "This is extremely disappointing as the reforms received support from many MPs of all parties.

"He could have voted for a more transparent arrangement, with independent external auditing and an end to the so-called 'John Lewis list' that allows MPs to claim for luxuries like plasma screen televisions, but instead Mr Woolas has shown how little regard he has for these genuine public concerns.

"This was a golden opportunity to restore faith in our elected representatives and it has now been missed.

"As a Liberal Democrat I am in favour of stricter arrangements for MPs' expenses - this is public money, and it is only right that the people should be confident that their money is being spent properly."

Related Link:

Amendment, debate and vote on MPs' expenses can be found starting here.